No / In this article we assess the abilities of a new electromagnetic (EM) system, the CMD Mini-Explorer, for prospecting of archaeological features in Ireland and the UK. The Mini-Explorer is an EM probe which is primarily aimed at the environmental/geological prospecting market for the detection of pipes and geology. It has long been evident from the use of other EM devices that such an instrument might be suitable for shallow soil studies and applicable for archaeological prospecting. Of particular interest for the archaeological surveyor is the fact that the Mini-Explorer simultaneously obtains both quadrature (conductivity') and in-phase (relative to magnetic susceptibility') data from three depth levels. As the maximum depth range is probably about 1.5m, a comprehensive analysis of the subsoil within that range is possible. As with all EM devices the measurements require no contact with the ground, thereby negating the problem of high contact resistance that often besets earth resistance data during dry spells. The use of the CMD Mini-Explorer at a number of sites has demonstrated that it has the potential to detect a range of archaeological features and produces high-quality data that are comparable in quality to those obtained from standard earth resistance and magnetometer techniques. In theory the ability to measure two phenomena at three depths suggests that this type of instrument could reduce the number of poor outcomes that are the result of single measurement surveys. The high success rate reported here in the identification of buried archaeology using a multi-depth device that responds to the two most commonly mapped geophysical phenomena has implications for evaluation style surveys. Copyright (c) 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Yes / Archaeological research at Stonehenge (UK) is increasingly aimed at understanding the dynamic of the wider archaeological landscape. Through the application of state-of-the-art geophysical techniques, unprecedented insight is being gathered into the buried archaeological features of the area. However, applied survey techniques have rarely targeted natural soil variation, and the detailed knowledge of the palaeotopography is consequently less complete. In addition, metallic topsoil debris, scattered over different parts of the Stonehenge landscape, often impacts the interpretation of geophysical datasets. The research presented here demonstrates how a single multi-receiver electromagnetic induction (EMI) survey, conducted over a 22 ha area within the Stonehenge landscape, offers detailed insight into natural and anthropogenic soil variation at Stonehenge. The soil variations that were detected through recording the electrical and magnetic soil variability, shed light on the genesis of the landscape, and allow for a better definition of potential palaeoenvironmental and archaeological sampling locations. Based on the multi-layered dataset, a procedure was developed to remove the influence of topsoil metal from the survey data, which enabled a more straightforward identification of the detected archaeology. The results provide a robust basis for further geoarchaeological research, while potential to differentiate between modern soil disturbances and the underlying sub-surface variations can help in solving conservation and management issues. Through expanding this approach over the wider area, we aim at a fuller understanding of the human–landscape interactions that have shaped the Stonehenge landscape.

Interaction between minerals and bacteria represents an abundant natural phenomenon depictingnature's complexity and how abiotic and biotic components are intertwined. This interaction is evidentin modern-day ecosystems, and it significantly shaped the early stage of life on Earth by influencinggeochemical processes. Evidence of this interaction includes microbialites. In the first part, this master's thesis explores the impact of iron-redox bacteria on the magneticproperties of synthetic and natural magnetic materials, with significant implications for understandingearly Earth conditions and paleoenvironments. In the second part, the magnetic signal recorded in thesediment core from the Baltic Sea is examined to identify the ferrimagnetic minerals responsible for itand their origin (biotic versus abiotic). A better understanding of the origin of ferrimagnetic mineralsallows for a more conclusive interpretation of palaeomagnetism and palaeoenvironmental history of theBaltic Sea. In both parts, the change in magnetic susceptibility was used as the main method to depictmechanisms of mineral-bacteria interaction. Experiment with iron-oxidising bacteria (Leptothrix mobilis) showed a decrease in magneticsusceptibility over time, consistent with the oxidation of solid iron/magnetic materials. However, asmall difference between bacteria culture and control samples points out that the decrease is caused byabiotic oxidation rather than bacterial. Supporting evidence is the absence of viable cells in all bacterialsamples, suggesting that L. mobilis did not grow in these experiments. In experiments with iron-reducing bacteria (Geobacter sulfurreducens), magnetic susceptibility increased by 7%. Controlsamples with the same reducing media did not show a change in magnetic susceptibility, indicating thatthe susceptibility change is caused by bacterial reduction of iron oxides. Magnetic susceptibility signal obtained in the sediment core from the Baltic Sea indicates rapidlyoxidising, ferrimagnetic nanoparticles in two organic-rich sapropels. The pattern of the signal isconsistent with the presence of bacterial greigite (magnetofossils). Contrary to previous research, nomagnetic enhancement is observed in these layers.  Magnetic susceptibility, as a non-destructive and relatively simple method, may serve as a significantindicator of mineral-bacterial interactions. Combining it with other techniques and methods can providedeeper insights into the mechanisms behind these interactions. This approach can reveal the importanceof these interactions on early Earth, enhance our understanding of palaeomagnetism, and unveil possibleconditions of ancient environments.

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No description available.

This thesis concentrates on a detailed field and structural analysis of the Podolsko complex, Moldanubian unit, Bohemian Massif, complemented by a microstructural study and analysis of magnetic susceptibility (AMS). The Podolsko complex occupies the footwall of a major Variscan normal shear zone and is juxtaposed against the southern to southeastern margin of the Central Bohemian Plutonic complex. During the field work, more than 160 outcrops were examined, the AMS samples were taken at 25 stations, and samples for microstructural studies were taken from 12 localities. On the micro-scale, leucocratic migmatites contain abundant garnet grains which may represent relics of an earlier (ultra-)high preassure metamorphic phase. Retrogression is obvious in other samples of biotite migmatites of the Moldanubian Variegated unit. The retrogression is marked by the presence of sillimanite and chlorite. The main tectonometamorphic event in the Podolsko complex is extensive migmatization coeval with formation of pervasive flat-laying fabric. This is corroborated by the AMS study which indicates concordant steep to flat-laying magnetic and mesoscopic foliations striking NNW-SSE. The AMS also shows that the subhorizontal N-S to NNW-SSE trending magnetic lineations in the Podolsko complex correspond to those in the...

A probe for measuring the specific heat of superconductors at low temperatures and in high magnetic fields has been built and commissioned. The probe has been tested using the relaxation method on samples of copper and the accuracy of the data is 1.3 % between 5 K and 30 K, data taken using the long range pulse method has a resolution of 10 mK. Specific heat measurements have been performed on members of the series (Pb(_1)-(_x))Cu(_1.8x)Mo(_6)S(_8), (Sn(_1-x))Eu(_x)Mo(_6)S(_8) and (Pb(_1-x)M(_x))Mo(_6)S(_8) where M = Gd and Eu, from 3 K up to 30 K and in magnetic fields up to 15 T. Additional results from resistivity, susceptibility, magnetisation. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and electron dispersive-ray measurements are also presented. These data have been compared to results from other authors and are analysed in terms of the BCS and GLAG theories of superconductivity and the magnetic properties of these materials. The mean field model has been used to calculate numerically the magnetic contribution to the specific heat (cm) of both ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic systems as a function of temperature and applied field both above and below the ordering temperature. In addition an approximate analytic form for the magnetisation has been used to calculate Cm above the ordering temperature. Expressions have been derived for the saturation value of the peak in C(_m): C(^sat)(_m) = 1.1245n(_cell)RJI(J+1) and the temperature dependence of the peak with applied field ȡ(μ(_o)H(_ext))/ȡT(_peak)=6.540/g(_J)(J+1). They allow the simple calculation of the values of J and g(_J)(J + 1) from specific heat data. The magnetic contribution to the specific heat of the samples (Sn(_0.65)Eu(0.35)Mo(_6)S(_8)) and (Sn(0.50)Eu(_0.50)Mo(_6)S(_8)) have been modelled using these calculations and excellent agreement is found by considering the magnetic ions as free ions. The sample is accurately modelled by including an additional minority phase (Gd(_2)S(_3)). The approximate expressions have also been used to analyse data on high temperature superconductors producing values of J and g(_J)}{J + 1) consistent with a doublet ground state. The properties of Chevrel phase materials have been determined as a function of doping level. The critical temperature is degraded by doping but an increase in the critical current density is observed in the series (Pb(_1-x)Cu(_1-8x)Mo(_6)S(_8) for very low levels of doping. Increases of up to 28 % in the upper critical field, that are probably due to the compensation effect and an increase in the normal state resistivity, are also observed in the series (Sn(_1-x)Eu(_x)Mo(_6)S(_8)) at high levels of doping and in the series (Pb(_1-x)Gd(_x)Mo(_6)s(_8) for low levels of doping.

Cette thèse traite de l’enregistrement de la déformation, à différentes échelles de temps et d’espace dans la chaîne plissée de Malargüe et le bloc de San Rafael, situés dans la partie septentrionale du bassin de Neuquén en Argentine. La première partie du travail comprend une analyse de la déformation finie (chaîne de Malargüe) et de la déformation active (bloc de San Rafael) à l’échelle macroscopique. De manière générale, les coupes structurales régionales proposées mettent clairement en évidence le rôle l’héritage structural lié aux structures générées lors de l’ouverture du bassin au Jurassique. Nous montrons également que les mécanismes de soulèvement actuels du bloc de San Rafael à l’est reprennent les modalités de la déformation d’âge Miocène dans la chaîne. Contrairement au mode de structuration des prismes critiques classiques caractérisés par la localisation de la déformation le long d’un niveau de décollement, la structuration de la chaîne est ici issue d’une déformation distribuée plus largement dans la lithosphère. A l’échelle de l’endommagement mesoscopique, la fracturation régionale nous a permis d’enregistrer les différents champs de contraintes régionaux liés aux phases de raccourcissement depuis le domaine pré-plissement jusqu’à la phase syn-plissement. Ces différentes phases sont en accord avec la cinématique de la convergence de la plaque Nazca depuis le Crétacé supérieur. A l’échelle microscopique, l’analyse des propriétés de susceptibilité magnétique des roches met en évidence, d’une part, une compartimentalisation de la déformation à l’échelle de la matrice liée à l’héritage structural extensif. D’autre part, la distribution spatiale de cet endommagement ne démontre pas l’existence de gradient clair des fabriques magnétiques depuis l’avant-pays vers les zones internes ce qui confirme le caractère atypique du système Andin à la latitude de 35°S. Ce dernier étant principalement contrôlé par une déformation distribuée, liée à l’héritage structural et singulièrement différente de celle attendu dans le cadre de la théorie du prisme critique. / This PhD project deals with multiscale record of the tectonic signal in the Malargüe fold-and-thrust-belt (MFTB) located in the northern part of the Neuquén basin (Argentina). The first results presented rely on the study of the macroscopic finite strain in the fold-belt and the characterization of the active deformation of the San Rafael Block uplift. The cross-sections we produce show that structural inheritance related to the Jurassic extension is the main parameter controlling the belt structure. In addition we proposed that the building mechanisms that controlled the MFTB evolution by Miocene times are the same than those triggering the present day San Rafael block uplift. The second part of this work is dedicated to mesoscopic strain pattern analysis recorded by fracture networks. Throughout the MFTB, we are able to describe the occurrence of four main fractures sets emplaced in several stress regime that are linked (1) to the inheritance and (2) to the well-known compression phases from pre-folding to syn-folding settings. Finally the third part of this work describes the microscopic damage recorded by the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility method. We mainly evidence that there is no clear gradient of magnetic fabrics from foreland to hinterland and that deformation is compartmentalized by structural inheritance. This atypical pattern of magnetic fabrics succession reveals that the matrix damage is governed by the same strain distribution as those observed at macroscopic scale thus providing a supplementary argument to consider the Andean system at these latitudes as singularly different from a classical Coulomb wedge.

A constante pressão exercida sobre os ambientes costeiros por parte das diferentes atividades humanas, em conjunto com novas necessidades relacionadas a estudos ambientais particularmente no que diz respeito à geração de gases de efeito estufa em sedimentos marinhos, têm gerado uma crescente demanda por conhecimento dos processos de geração, acúmulo e liberação desses gases. Dado esse desafio, torna-se necessário o desenvolvimento de novas aplicações de ferramentas geofísicas que forneçam informações além das propriedades acústicas do meio. Dessa forma, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo a avaliação do método eletrorresistivo no mapeamento estratigráfico e na detecção de feições geoelétricas indicativas da presença de gás em sedimentos rasos. Para isso, foram analisadas seções geoelétricas adquiridas no Saco do Mamanguá e na Enseada de Paraty-Mirim por meio da comparação com perfis sísmicos de alta resolução e da medição de resistividade em amostras de sedimentos. Nessas amostras foi simulada a presença de bolhas de gás e analisada a variação da resistividade com a diminuição da salinidade da água intersticial. Observou-se que um volume de bolhas de 0,20% do volume total é suficiente para aumentar em um fator de 1,8 a resistividade de uma amostra saturada em água do mar. Também verificou-se que a resistividade medida é dependente da resistividade da água intersticial. Medidas de susceptibilidade magnética mostraram, neste local, que a variação da resistividade não é devida a variações mineralógicas. As seções geoelétricas mostraram boa correlação com os perfis sísmicos até 9 m de profundidade a partir da superfície da água, onde ocorre uma camada geoelétrica de resistividade <0,35 Ohm.m. Nessa profundidade, observa-se uma interface entre camadas de resistividade elétrica possivelmente causada por uma mudança no teor de água ou de matéria orgânica. Essa interface coincide com o topo da turbidez acústica produzida pela presença de gás. / Given the constant pressure exerted over coastal environments by different human activities, in addition to the need for more knowledge concerning environmental issues, particularly with respect to greenhouse gases generation in marine sediments have generated an increasing demand for more information regarding the generation, accumulation and seepage of these gases. Faced with this challenge, there is a necessity to develop new applications to geophysical tools that provide more information than merely the acoustic properties of the medium. This work aims to the evaluation of the geoelectric method in stratigraphic mapping and the detection of geoelectric features of shallow gas. For that purpose, geoelectric sections acquired in the ria of Saco do Mamanguá and Paraty-Mirim were compared with high resolution seismic profiles and resistivity measurements in sediment samples. Presence of gas bubbles inside the sedimentary matrix was simulated and resistivity variation analyzed against the decrease of interstitial water salinity. It was observed that a bubble volume of 0.20% of the total volume is sufficient to increase the resistivity by a factor of 1.8. It was also confirmed that the sample resistivity is dependent on interstitial water resistivity. Magnetic susceptibility measurements showed that resistivity variation is not due to mineralogical variations. The geoelectric sections showed good correlation with the seismic profiles up to 9 m depth from the water surface, where occurs a geoelectric layer of resistivity <0.35 Ohm.m. At this depth, it is observed an interface between resistivity layers possibly caused by a change in water or organic matter content. This interface matches the top of the acoustic turbidity produced by shallow gas occurrences.

Os sistemas estuarinos são ambientes de transição entre o continente e o oceano, onde atividades humanas são intensivamente desenvolvidas. O Sistema Estuarino de Santos e São Vicente, localizado na porção central do Litoral do Estado de São Paulo, tem se destacado como um dos principais pólos econômicos do Brasil, devido ao complexo petroquímico e siderúrgico, ao Porto de Santos e à aptidão turística da região. O rápido e intenso desenvolvimento, a partir da década de 40, resultou na degradação do ecossistema local devido à introdução de esgotos e efluentes não-tratados, bem como ao aporte atmosférico de substâncias nocivas. O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi determinar as concentrações de hidrocarbonetos marcadores geoquímicos em sedimentos de testemunhos, para traçar o histórico da contribuição destes compostos ao longo dos últimos 100 anos, relacionando os resultados com a ocupação urbano-industrial da região. Paralelamente, procurou-se determinar a origem da matéria orgânica sedimentar (C, N e S) assim como verificar a existência de correlação estatística entre os hidrocarbonetos e a susceptibilidade magnética, ou seja, indicadores de poluição de natureza distinta. Quatro testemunhos foram coletados em áreas de mangue e próximas à fontes pontuais de poluição, como o lixão do Alemoa, o terminal petrolífero do Alemoa e próximo ao acesso do Pólo Industrial de Cubatão. A identificação e quantificação dos hidrocarbonetos foram feitas por um cromatográfo a gás acoplado a um detector de ionização de chama (GC-FID) para os hidrocarbonetos alifáticos e a um espectrômetro de massa (GC-MS) para os hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (PAHs). A análise granulométrica mostrou o predomínio de sedimentos lamosos nos sedimentos mais recentes, devido a progradação das áreas de mangue e às atividades antrópicas como o escorregamento de morros adjacentes e a dragagem de canais. A aumento no teor do nitrogênio (Ntot.) nas secções próximas ao topo dos testemunhos é proveniente das indústrias de fertilizantes e do lançamento de esgotos não-tratados. Embora tenha ocorrido um aumento na concentração de n-alcanos de fontes antrópicas ao longo dos últimos anos, a introdução biogênica aparece como um importante componente no total dos n-alcanos, sendo atribuída à contribuição dos múltiplos rios que deságuam no estuário e do mangue adjacente. A distribuição da concentração dos hidrocarbonetos alifáticos, em particular a mistura complexa não resolvida, foi relacionada com o desenvolvimento do Pólo Industrial de Cubatão e do Porto de Santos, à deposição de resíduos sólidos no morro do Alemoa e à adoção de medidas de controle de poluição por parte das indústrias da região. Em relação aos PAHs, foi possível estabelecer as principais fontes (petrogênica ou pirolítica) destes compostos ao longo dos testemunhos. O predomínio de PAHs de maior peso molecular (4 – 6 anéis), indicou contribuição antrópica da queima de biomassa, carvão, óleo bruto e combustíveis fósseis. A correlação estatística entre hidrocarbonetos e susceptibilidade magnética mostrou a aplicabilidade deste parâmetro na avaliação preliminar do histórico da poluição de sedimentos marinhos. O aporte de metais magnéticos, caracterizado pela susceptibilidade magnética, foi associado a diferentes fontes antrópicas de hidrocarbonetos e aos principais eventos históricos relacionados com o desenvolvimento urbano-industrial da Baixada Santista. / Estuarine areas are environments between land and ocean, where human activities are intensively developed. The Santos and São Vicente Estuary, located on the central portion of the coast of São Paulo state, has one of the most important industrial areas of Brazil. The increasing of urbanization and industrialization near the margins of Estuary, in the 50’s, has been responsible for the degradation of the mangrove, for the discharge of sewage, and consequently, it affects the input of organic matter and sedimentary deposition. The main objective of this work was to determine the concentration of hydrocarbons biomarkers in sediment cores in order to investigate the input of these substances in the last 100 years, and to find a relation with the urban and industrial occupation in this area. The organic matter origins (C, N and S) are also studied. A possible statistical correlation between two different pollution indicators (hydrocarbons and magnetic susceptibility) was investigated. Four sediments cores are collected in mangrove areas and near polluted places, as Alemoa garbage disposal, Alemoa petroliferous terminal and Cubatão industrial complex. Hydrocarbons concentrations were determined by gas chromatograph with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) for aliphatic compounds and by gas chromatograph coupled with mass spectrometer for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The grain-size analyses showed that in the recent sediments, mud was predominant. It was associated with the mangrove progradation and anthropogenic activities such as settlement, garbage disposal and sweep activities. High nitrogen concentrations were found in the sediments near the top of the cores and it was associated with inputs from untreated sewage and industries. Although a large anthropogenic input of n-alkanes was detected in the recent sediments, the biogenic contribution by rivers and direct input from mangrove vegetation is an important in the total n-alkanes. The distribution of aliphatic hydrocarbons in the cores, meanly concerning “Unresolved Complex Mixture", was associated with the formation and development of Cubatão industrial complex and the Santos harbour, waste disposal in Alemoa hill and with the preservation program, that results in the improvement of waste treatment and decrease of organic pollutants input in this area. The PAHs analyses indicated multiplies sources of these compounds (petrogenic and pyrolitic). The predominance of higher molecular weight compounds (4 – 6 aromatic rings) showed anthropogenic contribution from biomass, coal, oil and fossil fuels combustion. Statistical correlation of magnetic susceptibility with hydrocarbons indicated that the input of magnetic metals could be associated with several sources of hydrocarbons, related with the urban and industrial development of Santos and São Vicente Estuary.